332 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
Fa ab 9 2 aan NL SDT SSE SL SES SE A SEAL SE EE CE RE SE FGETS EI EET SS PE EE 
fae 
I will endeavor to explain to the readers of the Forest 
AND STREAM the manner in which such a number of birds 
are found and killed in so short a space of time. 
Thecountry for hundreds of miles on both sides of the 
Missouri river is entirely devoid of timber of any kind. 
When the cold weather approaches, birds of every descrip- 
tion, elk, deer, antelope, and in fact almost every living 
creature seeks the shelter of the timber which grows in the 
river bottom. Consequently all you have to do to fill your 
wagon is to be on the ground early, before the birds leave 
their roosting places, and you can pick them off like a 
farmer would his choice fruit. 
‘““Got twenty-one off one tree,” said one of the party,and I 
did not doubt it, for if there is one tree all you have to do 
is to shoot the lowest ones first, and you can get them all 
(if your ammunition holds out.) It seems a pity that these 
noble birds should be destroyed so ruthlessly by pot hunt- 
ers, but under the Territorial game laws there is no help 
for it at present. Elk and deer are very plenty hereabouts, 
and some antelope, but the latter are suffering from a dis- 
case similar to the ‘‘rot” in sheep. Large numbers have 
been found dead on the prairies the past fall, and neither 
the white hunter or Indians can account for it or tell what 
the disease is. 
The ‘‘wolfing” season has now commenced, and as it 
may prove interesting to some of your numerous readers to 
know how the immense number of the prairie wolf and 
coyote pelts are secured, I will ‘‘rise to explain.” The 
stock in trade of a party engaged in ‘‘wolfing” consists in 
flour, bacon and strychnine, the first two articles named for 
their own consumption, the last for the wolves. The first 
thing to be done is to procure a bait. Generally a buffalo 
is used, but if it happens to be out of a buffalo range, then 
an elk, deer, coon, or other animal is made to answer the 
purpose. The carcass is then impregnated with the poison 
and placed where it will do the most good. Sometimes as 
high as fifty wolves will be found of a morning scattered 
about at intervals of a few yards from the carcass, that 
they ate so ravenously of the night before. 
The ‘“‘wolfers” proceed to gather up the animals slain, 
carry them to camp, fix up anotherbait if necessary, and 
then commences the labor of skinning and stretching. It 
is no uncommon thing for a party of three men to come 
down in the spring with four thousand pelts, andas they 
will average one dollar anda half a pelt, it is a very profit- 
able business, if you are only successful in your ‘‘catch.” 
The men engaged in this business are different from the 
professional buffalo hunters; the trappers are in fact differ- 
ent from anyone but ‘‘wolfers.” When they receive their 
money in the spring they always make great calculations on 
having a ‘“‘big time” in town, and they generally have it. 
When their money is gone (and that is in a very few days), 
they betake themselves back to their haunts in the woods 
and on the prairies, and are seen no more within the con- 
fines of civilization until another spring. EDGAR. 
—A new plan of pigeon shooting was inaugurated on 
December 27th, at Babylon, L. I.; Messrs. Livingston and 
Post shot for $100 a side, 20 birds each, 21 yards rise, and 
80 yards boundary. The conditions were that the shooters 
should sit on the ground, as if shooting from a ‘‘blind,” 
thus: If the pigeons were driving birds and flew close to 
the ground, it would be extremely difficult to get the gun 
onthem. The birds, however, were scarcely up to the 
average, and the shooting, considering the above difficulty 
and novelty, was excellent. Both gentlemen having killed 
16 birds out of 20,they shot off the tie at five pigeons each, 
and this time Mr. Post was successful by killing four birds 
to his opponent’s three. 
The second match was between Messrs. Deforest and 
Snediker at 10 double birds each, for $100 a side, 100 yards 
boundary, 1}0z. shot, Mr. Deforest to shoot at 21 yards 
rise, Mr. Snedicor at 10 yards. After some fine shooting 
at very slow birds Mr. Deforest won the match by one 
bird, having killed 15 out of 20, Mr. Snedicor killing 14 
and losing six. 
Then followed a match between Messrs. Griswold and 
Jones at 5 pigeons each, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary, 
14.0z. shot. This match was won by Mr. Griswold, who 
killed all his birds, Mr. Jones missing the fifth. 
SUMMARY. 
Basyton, L. I., Dec. 27. 
Match $200, 20 birds each, both barrels allowed, battery 
style, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary, 1} oz. shot, be- 
tween Messrs Post and Livingston. 
SCORE. 
VE OS ee emily Onsen), al) sel ed etl pels iL deems eke 
1, 1—Total, 20; killed 16; missed 4. Gun used, Westley 
Richards 10 bore breech-loader. 
Mr. Livingston—1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,1, 0, 1, 0,1, 1, 1,1, 
0, 1, 1, 1—Total, 20; killed 16; missed 4. Gunused, Dou- 
gall 10 bore breech-loader. 
THE TIE. 
Mr. Post—1, 1, 1, 1, O—Total, 5; killed 4; missed 1. 
Mr. Livingston—1, 1 0, 1, 0-——Total, 5; killed 3; missed 2. 
SUMMARY. 
Samm DAay.—Match $200, between Messrs. Deforest and 
Snedicor, at 10 double birds each, 100 yards boundary, 14 
oz. shot, Mr. Deforest at 21 yards rise, Mr. Snedicor at 10. 
SCORE. 
Mr. Deforest—10, 11, 10, 11, 11, 10, 11, 01, 10, 11—Total, 
20; killed 15; missed 5. 
Mr. Snedicor—10, 11, 10, 11, 11, 11, 01, 00, 01, 11—Total, 
20; killed 14; missed 6. 
SUMMARY, 
~- Samp Day—$—, 5 birds each,{21 yards rise, 80 yards 
boundary, 1} oz. shot, between Messrs. Griswold and 
Jones. 
SCORE. 
Mr. Griswold—1, 1, 1, 1, 1—Total, 5; killed 5. 
Mr. Jones—1, 1, 1, 1, 0—Total, 5; killed 4; missed 1. 
—The Staten Island Game and Shooting Association of 
Port Richmond passed the afternoon of Christmas day at 
turkey, chicken and pigeon shooting. Below we give the 
score of the pigeon shooting; sweepstakes at 6 birds each, 
21 yards rise, and 80 boundary. 


Name. Score. 
Louis Palmer... ROU io Pale sk 
J. Reibecker... eS cers et 
George Trauter. ........ seh eile uh 
CPM: Jobnson): Seen cote =o honbeeeee s- ss ancien AY LO, UL? “1 
George Beyer sac accule scan ves. sc aeeeeeiaree =< sian nien 0.10 O70 Ti at 
J.-F. Raytheon. cocina eernce cient et oho sheet) 
HE Shilling: Sean s sets epeennte' «5 eee ss + aistelae OMIA 20 
John H. Decker he Pe es 
Wie ks CEANG Sie facet inenemeeietts sos «. <r Ls SoRREBeEES 704 DO ae al mel 
Louis) Palmer: 2, ccsesicch eins Seek ilies 2-00 -celaeip eoe = cele natene 1. Te Bed 
CG. Mv SOBRSOMA hae eis eee: + <a Ber (uae nr & oe Bs | 
George: Tranter -5 i205 sis's cate eee. e's oa ek ORL ed aed 
John A. Decker 1 MO sided 
—A pigeon pop took place at Vanderveer’s stores, 
Flatbush, on Christmas day; 12 chances, $5 each for a $50 
fine muzzle loader, 10 guage, usual rules, 21 yardsrise, etc. 
5 birds each. 
Name Score Total Name Score Total 
ELE Mies aster se cenrane Va at ORE. A oc cmon secltracenees 1110 1—4 
UBER es PRE UT 16 SS Libero cerckc seat 11100-8 
i. ERS) cistcsptton. See eos PT (0! TASC . roc. stepencre sare ato ate 1100 0-2 
SRR ace tipe aceraee Alt O° I —AVARIC .&. «. xctantncehtacnnss 101002 
Bi Tih sees. tee. 1000 1--AI@AL. .. Geant 111003 
ASD neater ecencen 1104 0/02/85 ML. . =. eee c ceeeee 11010—-8 
W. B. winning the gun. 
There was alsoa match at Dexter's on Christmas day 
between W. B. and Mr. Bay, for $25 a side, 25 birds exch, 
21 yardsrise, etc. . W. B. killed 22; Mr. Bay 20. 
Immediately afterwards Mr. W. B. and Mr. C. Svea 
shot for $25 each, W. B. giving five dead birds in 25. W. 
B. killed 21; C. Svea 13, leaving W. B. the winner; birds 
very good and a very gentlemanly affair throughout. 
—The Sweepstakes of the Woodside Shooting Club on 
Wednesday Dec. 24th passed off ina very pleasant and 
satisfactory manner. The Sweepstakes was for a purse of 
$50 at ten birds each, Long Island rules, 21 yards rise, 80 
yards boundary, 1} oz. shot, from H and T traps; 7 mem- 
bers were present to participate in the contest,accompanied 
by numerous friends of the club. The day was perfect 
and no accident occurred to mar the sport. 

Name. Score. Killed. 
Ersursdul..c.:. cgommawee << Dy GEO, 1:,. Oya Why teleuetaltsa cces sco a aieee trie ie 6 
JSSPIAQNEs eainss see 0; 2°0,.4, 1, 0;.:0; 05 35.0 
Cai elleyy se eesercrteeis- eae AyD sed; 15.0; 0500.8 O 
a) « ROLECE, Ve Seroelectenhems tenia DR ei, CER tO 
H.N. Terrett 0,070, 1,-1, 3,70; dy4ss. 
William Cameron. . Os, Osea) (Osi seed: 
E. Bisbee tS 1, 14, OFA 

EJudges—Wm. Sursduf and J. A. BF. Kelly. 
Referee—C. T. Howell, Jr. 
Manaea, N. J., Dec. 26th, 1872. 
Eprror Forest AND STREAM:— 
Will some of your numerous correspondents explain the 
relative merits of ‘‘Central,” and ‘‘pin fire” breech-loaders? 
The writer, who has used a ‘‘Scott pin fire” for the past 
four years, finds, upon inquiry, at quite a number of ‘‘gun 
stores,” both in New York and Philadelphia, that but com- 
paratively few ‘‘pin fires” are now made. From what little 
we have seen of ‘‘Central fire’ guns, it strikes us that the 
‘pin” is a safer and preferable gun for general use. First, 
one can more readily see whether the shell is exploded— 
the projection of the pin being at once a guide, without un- 
hinging the gun. Second, the construction of the ‘‘pin 
gun” is more simple. No spiral springs or plungers con- 
nected with it, as on the ‘‘Central fire,” and consequentiy, 
less liable to get out of order. Third, when out of order, 
more readily repaired at any shop. 
Will some advocate of the ‘“‘Central fire” explain through 
your columns why it is that the use of the ‘‘Central” has 
become so fashionable as to render the purchase of (at times) 
a large quantity of pin shells very dificult. 
Yours, ‘Pon, Fire.” 
—An error occurred in the repetition of certain scores in 
our last number, which was so evidently a mistake of the 
types as to be mamifest to all readers. We shall correct 
the same in a future issue. 
Rational Qastimes. 
te” Secretaries of University and College Athletic Clubs will please mail 
heir reports not later than Monday in each week. 
Rive 
The remarkable weather of the early part of this win- 
ter is shown in the fact that the Boston base ball club 
played a game of ball on their grounds on Christmas day 
in the presence of about five hundred spectators. The 
contest was rendered unusually interesting, from its being 
played under the new rule of ten men and ten innings. 
The score is as follows:—Spalding’s side, 16; H. Wright’s 
side, 18. Time of game, one hour and fifty minutes. 
—Skating was inaugurated for the season of 1873 and 
1874 on December 29th, when the ball was run up at the 
Union and Capitoline skating lakes, Brooklyn. There will 
be good skating there all this week. All the public ponds 
are now giving an opportunity for recreation for these holi- 
day times which young and old of both sexes eagerly avail 
themselves of. In Brooklyn a few sleighs have ventured 
out, but sleighing is indifferent in these parts, even in the | 
suburbs. Only six inches fell last Saturday night, and the 
warm sun of the succeeding day greatly reduced its quan- 
tity and rendered it little available for runners. 
—Our correspondents from the several Universities and 
Colleges have written us that owing to the deep snow they 
were obliged to postpone the foot ball matches and other 
athletic pastimes. 

—The grand billiard tournament between Maurice Daly 
and Francois Ubassy was ~- finished on December 27th, 
Daly being the victor. The fifth of the series of matches 
was played in the afternoon of December 27th, in Chris. 
O’Connor’s billiard saloon, in Union square, being a game 
of 500 points up. It was won by Daly in fifty-seven inn- 
ings, Ubassy only scoring 360 points. The sixth and last 
of the series of games came off in the evening of the same 
day, at the Spingler House billiard room, and resulted in 
another victory for Daly, who ran the game out on the 
thirty-seventh inning, Ubassy making only 286 points. 
Machting and Boating. 
All communications from Secretarves and friends should be masled nos 
later than Monday in each week. 


HIGH WATER, FOR THE WEEK. 


DATE. BOSTON. | NEW YORK. | CHARL’ST'N 
SS ee ee Ss 
| h. m. h. m. h. m. 
PADS LL oneness 10 24 erat | 6 24 
JAD keseieyerisine recs | Il 15 ” 56 | av 15 
JAD tOsseierar ‘ eye. 3 | 8 48 : 8 38 
Pe) a: Se AE ari ! 0 49 9 34 8 49 
Jan. | 1 32 H 10907; | 9 82 
Jan. | 2 14 | 10 56 10 14 
Jan. | 2 52 11 36 | 10 52 


—The Bayonne Yacht Club, held its regular monthly 
meeting at 72 Beaver street, on the 25th of December. 
There was a large attendance of members, and several re- 
presentatives of other clubs present. The occasion was for 
the distribution of prizes won by the members during the 
late autumn regatta. The following are the names of the 
yachts and owners who received prizes :— 
ist. class sloops.—Qui Vive, Thomas Chapman, Bay- 
onne Yacht Club—Club prize, large and elegant music box. 
1st. class sloop.— Elizabeth, Commodore Tynon, Staple- 
ton Yacht Club—Union prize, handsome large French 
bronze clock. 
2d. class sloop.—Jeannette, Commodore Pearson, Bay- 
onne Yacht Club—Club prize elegant music box. 
2d. class slocp.—Eclipse, Captain McKinstry, Pavonia 
Yacht Club—Union prize, silver tea set, consisting of five 
pieces and salver, all handsomely engraved. 
8d. class sloop.—Idle Hour, Thomas Taylor, Bayonne 
Yacht Club—Club prize, silver set, consisting of water 
pitcher, goblets, slop bowl] and salver, all handsomely en- 
graved. 
3d. class sloop.—Joe Saunders, Frank Bates, Long Island 
Yacht Club—Union prize, large silver urn for ice water, 
elegantly engraved. 
Bayonne, Mr. P. McGiehan, Bayonne Yacht Club— 
Prize won at regatta of the club, August, 1869. 
After the presentation of the prizes the members sat 
down to an elegant collation. William T. Lee, John M. 
Sawyer, George Dunning and others responded to appro- 
priate toasts. During the evening Captain G. A. Beling 
presented Joseph Elsworth with a handsome oil painting 
representing the last race of the Meta with the Vision, off 
Sandy Hook. Mr. C. C. Hough, President of the club, 
gave the painting to ‘Captain Joe,” and the latter feelingly 
responded. The meeting was a grand success. 
—General W. W. Sanford, of St. Louis, is building a 
new schooner yacht at Baltimore under the supervision of 
his sailing master, who formerly sailed his yacht the 
“Bddie.” He is a practical sailor and boat builder, the 
schooner when finished will measure about 80 tons. A full 
description of this new schooner will appear in these 
columns in a future number. 
—Com. W. H. Langley, of the ‘‘Addie,” will buiid a 
schooner yacht this winter, providing he can make terms 
for the sale of his victorious sloop. The ‘‘Addie” is 52 tons. 
new measurement, in complete order and could be made 
ready for sea in three days. She was built by Kirby, of 
Rye, N. Y., for John Voorhees and was formerly the 
‘(Addie V,” and afterwards purchased by Mr. Langley, who 
won in one season some $2,500 worth of silver plate. 
CoLLEGE Boating MANAGEMENT.—The Freshman class 
is the largest that has ever entered Harvard; it by no 
means lacks good material for a crew, yet it seems in great 
danger of doing worse even than the last Freshman Class. 
The Class of ’76 were at least enthusiastic, subscribing 
iberally to meet the expenses of their crew and having all 
winter long in the Gymnasium from ten to twelve men 
working for it; but our new associates seem entirely for- 
getful of the fact that the rest of the college expect them to 
send a crew to the next regatta. Yet perhaps I am wrong 
in this; perhaps the Freshmen are mindful of the fact, but 
think that all that is essential to success at the next race is 
to elect a captain, a man almost wholly ignorant of rowing 
and to enter a crew in the fall races so good as to show that 
if proper measures are taken, the class can send out a crew 
which will retrieve the disgrace of last year. 
That which is of the first importance, in entering upon 
the selection of a crew, is the choice of a proper man for 
captain. It seems incredible that the Freshman Class 
should, year after year, keep up the childish jealousy be- 
tween the men fitted in Boston and those fitted elsewhere, 
It is a fact, I believe, that the election held last fall, so far 
from being a choice of the man best fitted for the captaincy 
was merely a struggle between the supporters of two gentle- 
men who rested their claims upon the fact that one was 
fitted at a certain school and his competitor at another! 
The spirit that seems to actuate the men, as one of the 
members of the class is reported to have said, was this: 
“CWe don’t care a straw for the office, but we want to defeat 
that man from .” If this were not their first year in _ 
Cambridge, they would know that just such a spirit among 
the fellows has already greatly injured one or two Fresh- 
man crews: and members of the other classes fear that it 
will succeed in gaining another victim in the ’77 crew. 
To those who know anything about this class, and who 
have watched their crew, it is quite evident that there is 
no one among them fitted by knowledge and experience to 

